PHILADELPHIA — The New York Yankees acquired All-Star right fielder Bobby Abreu and starting pitcher Cory Lidle from the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday for four minor league prospects.
Desperate for pitching and a productive bat in their depleted outfield, the Yankees took on Abreu's hefty contract, hoping he can help them catch first-place Boston in the AL East.
"It's a good team. They have some good players. It's a team everyone wants to go to," said Abreu, who already has an apartment in New York.
A .301 career hitter, Abreu fills a major void in the lineup. New York has been without injured outfielders Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui for most of the season.
"Things started heating up with Philadelphia in the last few days," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "The commitment left with Bobby is a pretty good commitment. This club has worked so hard and with so much fight. If I could, I wanted to give it a chance to win."
Abreu's arrival could mean Sheffield won't return to New York next year. The Yankees hold a $13 million option on his contract for 2007.
The Phillies get left-hander Matt Smith and Class-A shortstop C.J. Henry — a first-round draft pick in 2005. They also landed rookie league catcher Jesus Sanchez and right-hander Carlos Monasterios.
"You never think you got enough, but we're happy with what we got," general manager Pat Gillick said.
RANGERS TRADE COREY: The Texas Rangers traded right-handed reliever Bryan Corey to the Boston Red Sox on Sunday for minor league pitcher Luis Mendoza. Corey was designated for assignment Tuesday when the Rangers activated starting pitcher Adam Eaton from the disabled list. Corey was 1-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 16 appearances for Texas after his contract was purchased from Triple-A Oklahoma on June 9.
BELLIARD-LUNA SWAP: The St. Louis Cardinals improved their infield Sunday, acquiring second baseman Ronnie Belliard from Cleveland for Hector Luna in the latest move by the underachieving Indians. Belliard, an All-Star in 2004, gives the NL Central-leading Cardinals a steady, everyday second baseman for the stretch run. St. Louis has used Aaron Miles and Luna at second this season, but neither has been particularly productive at the plate.
WIGGINTON, KAZMIR ON DL: The Tampa Bay Devil Rays placed All-Star pitcher Scott Kazmir and infielder Ty Wigginton on the 15-day disabled list Sunday. Kazmir went on the DL, retroactive to July 24, with soreness in his left shoulder. Wigginton has a broken bone in his left hand. The Devil Rays also recalled left-hander J.P. Howell from Triple-A Durham.
GARCIAPARRA OUT: The Los Angeles Dodgers placed first baseman Nomar Garciaparra on the 15-day disabled list Sunday because of a strained ligament in his right knee. The move was made retroactive to July 25, one day after Garciaparra was injured trying to make a tag play at second base on a bloop double by San Diego's Josh Barfield.
PARK PUT ON DL: The San Diego Padres placed right-hander Chan Ho Park on the 15-day disabled list with abdominal pain and recalled right-hander Mike Thompson from Triple-A Portland so he could start Sunday against the Colorado Rockies. Thompson is making his third trip to the majors this season.
FOULKE A LATE SCRATCH: Red Sox pitcher Keith Foulke was a last-minute scratch from his scheduled rehabilitation start on Sunday for Triple-A Pawtucket because of a sore back. Foulke, who has been on the disabled list since June 13 with right elbow tendinitis, warmed up for about 10 minutes before the game against Buffalo and then changed into street clothes after returning to the clubhouse.
ROCKIES ACTIVATE ARDOIN: The Colorado Rockies activated catcher Danny Ardoin from the 15-day disabled list Sunday and optioned catcher J.D Closser to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Ardoin, Colorado's opening day starter, went on the disabled list on May 26 after straining his knee the day before in a collision at the plate with Jose Cruz Jr. of the Los Angeles Dodgers.